l-r: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and Managing Director/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku during the 3rd FAAN National Aviation Conference, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Sanwo-Olu seeks investor backing to fast-track Lekki–Epe International Airport
l-r: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and Managing Director/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku during the 3rd FAAN National Aviation Conference, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called on investors to support the development of the proposed Lekki–Epe International Airport, reaffirming the state’s commitment to collaborating closely with the Federal Government and its aviation agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Speaking at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) National Aviation Conference in Victoria Island, Lagos, the governor said the airport—an initiative of the Lagos State Government—will play a pivotal role in decongesting the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and positioning Lagos as West Africa’s premier aviation hub. The event was attended by President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; as well as Governors Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele. FAAN Board Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, was also present.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the Federal Government has already approved the project, which will be delivered through a public-private partnership. Designed as a Code F–compliant facility, the airport will accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380. It will sit on 3,500 hectares of land about 10 kilometres from the Lekki Free Trade Zone, with an initial annual capacity of five million passengers and room for modular expansion.
He emphasised that the Lekki–Epe International Airport is a strategic investment driven by necessity, not luxury. Beyond easing pressure on MMIA, the airport is expected to enhance Lagos’ competitiveness, unlock opportunities in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training and aviation services, and support the rapidly growing Lekki industrial corridor—home to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, and an emerging new city.
“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with FAAN, NCAA and all federal agencies to ensure that the Lekki–Epe International Airport—and indeed MMIA—become models of what federal and sub-national collaboration can achieve,” he said. “Together with the Federal Government and our partners, we are building a future where Nigerian aviation is safe, modern, competitive and inclusive.”
The governor also highlighted Lagos State’s progress in developing an integrated mobility ecosystem that connects rail, road, water and air transportation. He noted the milestones recorded with the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line (Marina–Mile 2) and Red Line (Agbado–Oyingbo), as well as ongoing plans for the 68-kilometre Green Line from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“We are building a comprehensive, multi-modal transport backbone to serve more than 20 million residents and millions of visitors who come to do business with us,” he said.
Governors Uzodinma, Zulum and Abiodun also addressed the conference, underscoring the role of aviation in driving economic growth and outlining new airport projects, transport initiatives and investment prospects in Imo, Borno and Ogun states.
